Rams pass rusher Myles Garrett has officially missed his 12th practice. Yeah, you read that right, the 12th! This dude, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, is still sidelined with what they’re calling “minor knee swelling.” Yet, Rams coach Sean McVay keeps trying to downplay the whole thing. It’s wild.
The Garrett Ghosting and McVay’s Calm
So, Garrett hasn’t been out there on the field for nearly two weeks now, clocking in his 12th missed practice. You’d think for a guy they just traded a whole lot for, that would set off some alarm bells. But McVay, he’s cool as a cucumber. According to Benjamin Royer of the ocregister.com, McVay’s just out here saying, “The goal is, what can we do to be able to get him ready to roll for Australia?” Australia! It sounds like the focus is on a single game across the globe rather than the ongoing absence of a massive defensive piece right here, right now.
The Blockbuster Absence Nobody Expected
Let’s not forget who we’re talking about here. Garrett, who the Rams got in a blockbuster offseason trade from the Browns, isn’t some rookie. He’s a certified game-wrecker. Last season, he set the NFL’s single-season sacks record with 23. Twenty-three! And he’s got a staggering 125.5 sacks in his nine NFL seasons. This isn’t a guy who usually sits out. He played all 17 games the past two seasons, and he’s only missed four games over the past six seasons. His track record screams durability, which makes this “minor knee swelling” and his extended absence feel a whole lot more significant than McVay is letting on. When you trade for a player like that, you expect him on the field, not on the sidelines for nearly two weeks.
More Rams Limping into the Season
And it’s not just Garrett dealing with issues. The Rams have a few other players nursing injuries that kept them out of practice Tuesday. Wide receiver Puka Nacua is battling a hip flexor, and offensive lineman Keagen Trost has a hamstring issue keeping him off the field. Tight end Terrance Ferguson was seen working on the side with an athletic trainer, which isn’t great news either. Offensive lineman Alaric Jackson missed practice too, but McVay said that was for a personal matter and “nothing to worry about.” Still, when a bunch of key guys are missing reps, especially your biggest offseason acquisition, it makes you wonder just how smooth that “roll for Australia” is going to be.
The Rams are clearly focused on getting Garrett healthy for their big trip to Australia, but the prolonged absence of such a critical, record-setting player has to be a concern, no matter how much the coaching staff downplays it. What happens if this minor swelling becomes a major headache for their season opener down under?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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